First big tow coming up.

[Davexxxx]

Not for me, for the truck. Though, I've never towed anything as long or high before. 20 some footers hauling light farm machinery or cars around, is not the same as a 30' long, 11' high, 8' wide wall. Even if the weights aren't that different.

Talked to the travel trailer salesman yesterday, to see if he had a VIN yet for the Ins. Co. and he finished the conversation with "I'll see ya in a couple days". TT supposedly came "off the line" yesterday and will be transported to the dealership, I guess as soon as today.

The trick, is going to be keeping the excitement down. We've been planning for this for a long time.

After the walkthrough and inspection, final signing and payment, I've arranged to keep the trailer there for a few days, if necessary, while I get it ready.

Want to mount the cameras, get the TPMS set up, set up the hitch and the sticker and calibrations for the backup assist.

Barring problems, that could all be easily done in a day but I don't want my first tow with it, to be in rush hour for the 60 or so mile trip home. So, I'm figuring 2 days and thats if everything goes more or less perfectly.

Ideally, pull out of the dealership mid morning and stop at the scales for an initial weight on the way home.

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[kevdog0710]

Congratulations, what kind of camper did you pur?

 

[Davexxxx]

They're still in the process of updating the page for 2024 model yr but the sketch is right.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/surveyor-legend/252RBLE/8340

 

[Aron]

They're still in the process of updating the page for 2024 model yr but the sketch is right.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/surveyor-legend/252RBLE/8340

Looks like a great trailer! I'm sure that you'll be happy with it! I've really been enjoying the outdoor cooking features, and I kind of wish that I had a full outdoor kitchen like yours is.

Also, I see that yours comes with "ladder prep", but no ladder. I use my ladder all the time, so that would be a feature that I would add fairly quickly. I sweep the roof of the slide off before we close it up to get moving, so I'm up there every time we change campsites.

One bit of advice: when you're looking at campgrounds (especially National Park campgrounds), round that length DOWN, not up. Plenty of sites allow 29' trailers, but not 30', even though parking it is not appreciably different.

When you're just getting used to driving it, take everything more slowly at first and you'll be fine. You'll be back to towing "normally" soon enough.

 

[Davexxxx]

Looks like a great trailer! I'm sure that you'll be happy with it! I've really been enjoying the outdoor cooking features, and I kind of wish that I had a full outdoor kitchen like yours is.

Also, I see that yours comes with "ladder prep", but no ladder. I use my ladder all the time, so that would be a feature that I would add fairly quickly. I sweep the roof of the slide off before we close it up to get moving, so I'm up there every time we change campsites.

One bit of advice: when you're looking at campgrounds (especially National Park campgrounds), round that length DOWN, not up. Plenty of sites allow 29' trailers, but not 30', even though parking it is not appreciably different.

When you're just getting used to driving it, take everything more slowly at first and you'll be fine. You'll be back to towing "normally" soon enough.

Thanks. I like how with the slide in, you still have full access to everything.

The ladder prep, vs. a having a ladder, is a new change for this yr. but it really doesn't bother me, since I'd already planned to get one of those telescoping ladders, which is all the "prep" is. Just a holder for hangers.



Anyway, the telescoping lets me not have to get on the roof to clean the slide, work on an isolated area etc.

As for the outside kitchen, I plan a major revision. The way they have it set up, you have to set up and tear down the griddle and then stow it someplace, each time. I'll yank the mini fridge, raise and rework the sliding drawer and be able to leave the griddle where is and gain some storage too.

 

[Davexxxx]

They just released this.

 

[kevdog0710]

They're still in the process of updating the page for 2024 model yr but the sketch is right.

https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/surveyor-legend/252RBLE/8340

Looks like a great setup! Good luck with it

 

[Davexxxx]

Brought the camper home on Fri.

First stop, Cat Scales.

Truck was loaded with the Wife and I, a full tank of fuel, the hitch, all the normal stuff, tools, etc. plus a few items specific for that day, which will more normally be in the trailer.

Camper was as it came from the factory, plus 2 Maxair fans, 3 camera system, the dealer battery and filled propane tanks. End result, trusting published tongue weights could get people in trouble. We're fine but its not just a few pounds, so give yourself some leeway in picking a trailer. You may not have as much to work with as you thought.

Truck and trailer, with WDH hooked up.
Steer axle = 3440 (Sticker says 3750)
Drive axle = 3620 (4150)
Trailer axle = 5140
GCVW = 12200 (Tow guide says 17000)

Truck, with hitch and bars.
Steer axle =3600
Drive axle = 2780
GVW = 6380 (7350)

Trailer.
Tongue = 820 (published is 590)
Trailer axle = 5020
GVW = 5840 (published unloaded is 5313. Sticker says 5770. Published Max GVWR = 7590. Sticker says 7552 )

One seeming oddity here, is that the WDH allowed less weight on the front axle but moved more to the trailer axle.

Then to the tire shop to get them balanced.

So, how did it handle? I won't lie, I knew it was back there. No white knuckling at all and no tail wagging the dog but even in light winds, every once in a while, you felt it. I had already increased truck tire PSI to 45, from 35.

Plenty of power for merging or hills but anyone who has driven or researched a powerboost, already knew that.

All my electronics worked perfectly. No glitches with the trailer connection and trailer light check is a very nice feature.

Trailer BLIS worked as it should.

I did use adaptive cruise but in Tow Haul mode, lane centering disabled itself. I tried with and without trailer sway. I think it might be better without. Kind of too close to be sure at this time.

The WeighSafe hitch, virtually eliminated porposing. You still felt the bumps but only once.

I installed the sticker and found an empty parking lot to calibrate the back up assist etc. Kind of a pain to get it done but once you have it, it works very well. All the different camera views are very handy.

One caveat to that and the hitch assist and even just the hitch guidance via the camera ... The WeighSafe, Middleweight, is designed such that the camera focusses on the adjustment mechanism rather than the ball. I'm sure its something you get used to and mentally correct for but it took me a few times to get under the hitch.

I'm well experienced at towing but nothing this big. Still backed it into the drive on the first try and yes, I used the knob, just to try it out. It works well. No shame in it.

The truck looks fine but the nose of the trailer looks a little high. I'll check it again after I'm finished modding it and it is loaded to go.

This is the 3 camera view on the Haloview. You do NOT need tow mirrors, if you don't want them.

In truth, the biggest pain in this whole process, was setting up the TST TMPS but it may be that I got one with a glitch or something. Very hard to see during the set up phase, even in low light. Once set up, its plenty bright enough but wow, what a PIA before that.

 

[J_Walk]

Brought the camper home on Fri.

First stop, Cat Scales.

Truck was loaded with the Wife and I, a full tank of fuel, the hitch, all the normal stuff, tools, etc. plus a few items specific for that day, which will more normally be in the trailer.

Camper was as it came from the factory, plus 2 Maxair fans, 3 camera system, the dealer battery and filled propane tanks. End result, trusting published tongue weights could get people in trouble. We're fine but its not just a few pounds, so give yourself some leeway in picking a trailer. You may not have as much to work with as you thought.

Truck and trailer, with WDH hooked up.
Steer axle = 3440 (Sticker says 3750)
Drive axle = 3620 (4150)
Trailer axle = 5140
GCVW = 12200 (Tow guide says 17000)

Truck, with hitch and bars.
Steer axle =3600
Drive axle = 2780
GVW = 6380 (7350)

Trailer.
Tongue = 820 (published is 590)
Trailer axle = 5020
GVW = 5840 (published unloaded is 5313. Sticker says 5770. Published Max GVWR = 7590. Sticker says 7552 )

One seeming oddity here, is that the WDH allowed less weight on the front axle but moved more to the trailer axle.

Then to the tire shop to get them balanced.

So, how did it handle? I won't lie, I knew it was back there. No white knuckling at all and no tail wagging the dog but even in light winds, every once in a while, you felt it. I had already increased truck tire PSI to 45, from 35.

Plenty of power for merging or hills but anyone who has driven or researched a powerboost, already knew that.

All my electronics worked perfectly. No glitches with the trailer connection and trailer light check is a very nice feature.

Trailer BLIS worked as it should.

I did use adaptive cruise but in Tow Haul mode, lane centering disabled itself. I tried with and without trailer sway. I think it might be better without. Kind of too close to be sure at this time.

The WeighSafe hitch, virtually eliminated porposing. You still felt the bumps but only once.

I installed the sticker and found an empty parking lot to calibrate the back up assist etc. Kind of a pain to get it done but once you have it, it works very well. All the different camera views are very handy.

One caveat to that and the hitch assist and even just the hitch guidance via the camera ... The WeighSafe, Middleweight, is designed such that the camera focusses on the adjustment mechanism rather than the ball. I'm sure its something you get used to and mentally correct for but it took me a few times to get under the hitch.

I'm well experienced at towing but nothing this big. Still backed it into the drive on the first try and yes, I used the knob, just to try it out. It works well. No shame in it.

The truck looks fine but the nose of the trailer looks a little high. I'll check it again after I'm finished modding it and it is loaded to go.

This is the 3 camera view on the Haloview. You do NOT need tow mirrors, if you don't want them.

In truth, the biggest pain in this whole process, was setting up the TST TMPS but it may be that I got one with a glitch or something. Very hard to see during the set up phase, even in low light. Once set up, its plenty bright enough but wow, what a PIA before that.

Solid write up, we're looking at getting into a travel trailer as well, really liked the layout of the Surveyors but we need a BH so ends up being on the heavier side.

What camera system is this? Something bought through the RV dealer or 3rd party?

 

[Davexxxx]

Thanks.

Here is the camera system.

https://www.haloview.com/byte-tango-7-plus.html

 

[Snakebitten]

It looks perfectly level to me.
Nicely done.

 

[redline]

nice setup... looking good . I like that trailer layout,,,

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